Experimenting with what matters, one month at a time.

Welcome to my blog. Each month I conduct a different experiment; I’m undertaking a task, asking a question, eliminating or adding something to my life. July begins a new type of project: A year of not driving. I’m breaking with the (monthly) format of the blog to go deeper and learn how an experiment can … More Howdy!

I like rental cars. One of my favorite things to do, ever, is to drive through unfamiliar places in a brand new car that isn’t mine, preferably with the radio blaring and the windows rolled down. Years ago, when I traveled for work through Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Southern California, the few hours spent in … More Planes, trains, and ferries (with a few automobiles)

Me: Walking up to the bus stop at Colfax and Wadsworth. It’s 3:30 p.m. Sunny and hot. I’m wearing (Is this important info? See below for the debate.) beige sweatpants and a red t-shirt. He: Sees me coming and steps out from the sizable crowd awaiting the bus. Wearing a tank top, dirty shorts, and … More I think that’s for the best.

For nineteen consecutive days, I haven’t driven a car. This despite the fact that during those nineteen days, we bought a new(ish) car, and had a loaner– a fancy Honda Crosstour– while the dealership repaired a scratch on our new car. I’m feeling fairly saint-like for resisting the Crosstour. But other than that temptation, my … More Off to a good start

Last week I set out to write about why I’m experimenting with giving up my car for a year. I had three things in mind, but the first, the environmental benefits, took up the entire post, which is a shame because I consider those reasons– the obscenely large American ecological footprint, dwindling planetary resources, concrete … More Inside vs. Outside

Friends and family have been asking me why. Unlike other, more self-explanatory things I’ve given up for periods of time (alcohol, sugar, meat), driving seems to be both necessary for modern life and not inherently harmful. It’s also convenient, and under the right circumstances, down right fun. So, why am I abstaining from using a … More Leaving some for others

Wednesday, a little over two days from now, begins my year of not driving. Maybe I should call it my year of reduced driving or my year of no solo driving. Because to claim that the upcoming 365 days will be purely “not driving” is to miss the point. I’m going to end up … More A (mostly) car-less life

The first time I commuted by any means other than my car was in October of 2009. I was participating in the No Impact Project, a week of abstaining from ordinary and carbon-heavy activities like driving a car, eating meat, and generating trash. Being that it was fall in Colorado (translation: sunny, cool, the bluest … More Is it fall yet?